Alternative to Morcellators

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Laparoscopic surgeries have become a popular option for numerous types of procedures due to their less invasive nature when compared with more traditional options. The need for power morcellator use during these procedures may place women at undue risk for serious complications and injury, however, which detracts greatly from the advertised benefits. Until recently, these risks were concealed from the general public and women elected to undergo procedures that involved power morcellator use without fully understanding the risks they posed to their general and long term health. If you must elect to undergo a hysterectomy, it is important to understand the alternatives in order to make an informed decision about your health.

Traditional Procedures

The FDA has recently concluded that while laparoscopic options are less invasive, that more traditional procedures may actually result in less damage to the urinary tract and require less time to perform. As a result, recovery times may actually be quicker following traditional procedures and the benefits of minimally invasive procedures may be exaggerated. There are three primary forms of hysterectomy that are performed without the use of power morcellators.

Total abdominal hysterectomy— this is the most common surgical choice among women electing to undergo hysterectomies. An incision is made in the lower abdomen and the procedure takes significantly less time than the laparoscopic alternative.

Vaginal hysterectomy— this hysterectomy is performed through an incision in the vagina. The primary advantages to vaginal hysterectomies are that the risk of infection and recovery time are both significantly reduced compared to abdominal procedures.

Open abdominal myomectomy— when the purpose of the procedure is to remove fibroids or growths, this procedure may be recommended instead of a complete hysterectomy. An incision is made in the same manner as a total abdominal hysterectomy and the fibroids are removed without the need for power morcellation or the dissemination of tissue.

Alternative Morcellation Techniques

Since it was discovered that tissue dissemination poses severe risks to women’s health, several adaptations have been considered to existing procedures which require morcellator use. These techniques involve the use of bags to reduce the risk of tissue dissemination by containing the tissue within the bag during morcellation. The FDA has been unable to prove whether these methods actually reduce the risk of tissue dissemination or provide any benefit at all, however, and patients should still consider them to be high risk.

Women who underwent laparoscopic procedures that included the use of power morcellators may be entitled to compensation if they suffered from complications or developed uterine cancer following their surgeries. If you or a loved one has been injured because of power morcellator usage, contact us today for a free consultation with a qualified attorney. We will be happy to examine the details of your case and perform a thorough investigation to determine whether you have a case. If for any reason we are unable to assist you or collect compensation on your behalf, our services and advice will be at no obligation or cost to you.

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The Drug Law Center is sponsored by lawyers who represent individuals and families who have suffered a serious injury or death from a dangerous drug or medical device. While these medical inventions have been marketed to improve the quality of life for people, unsafe drugs and poorly designed medical devices can drastically reduce the quality of life for the individual and his or her family.